The throwback dilemma

On my way to work today I saw a guy wearing a navy blue LeBron James Cavs jersey. And seeing this winner got me things about a few things. 1) Is that man the only person in Anerica still proud to be rocking a James Cavs jersey after "The Decision" and 2) Let's say LeBron eventually fulfills his potential and becomes the GBPOAT (Greatest Basketball Player of All-Time with the Miami Heat or some other team, what jersey will become his iconic throwback? Question #1 really doesn't need to be answered, but question #2 got me thinking.

First we have to assume that throwback jerseys will still be a desirable commodity in the future, I think it has to be at least another 15-20 years in the future before it'll be time to really look back at LeBron's career. But yeah, people still want jerseys from their favorite players from yesteryear. For a player like LeBron, who came in with so much fanfare and expectations, but lived up to almost all of them, it seems like the legend of the Chosen One should be celebrated. But let's say that LeBron finally wins a ring with another team and goes on to mark his places in the annals of NBA history with them, does this team become his most famous jersey? I would think the LeBron James dilemma is probably the most difficult of any current player because he switched teams, but has so much back history with the first one.

Thinking about LeBron James got me thinking about my favorite player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. He won 3 championships in the early 2000s and was part of the most dominating duo in NBA history as #8, but after some legal troubles and wanting a new start he went to his high school number, 24. Kobe goes on to win 2 more NBA championships, puts his name up with the greatest Lakers of all-time (he's considered the greatest in some circles) and is continuing his climb up the all-time scoring list. But what is more important, his time as a champion as #8 as part of a dynamic duo, or his time as "the man" and possible NBA pantheon guy as #24? I guess what makes the Kobe situation easier is that he has only played for one team his whole career and I think there are so many good memories for each that both #8 and #24 will be acceptable throwbacks down the road. But what number do the Lakers retire?